Swamped
Second Edition
Teach
the concept of team synergy with
Swamped, a challenging adventure
simulation that focuses on managing
group conflict and consensus decision
making. By comparing individual
solutions to solutions reached by the
group, participants experience
first-hand the advantages of working as
a team.
The Scenario
Deep in the wilds of Northern Minnesota,
your group is paddling across scenic
Lake McEwen in three canoes. Suddenly it
begins to rain — and as the wind reaches
gale force, your canoes capsize. You’re
swamped — and your troubles are just
beginning!
One of our best-selling simulations,
Swamped was born out of extensive
research and the input of Jim Roadcap,
an experienced canoeist, wilderness
camper, survival skills trainer, and Boy
Scout leader.
Learning Outcomes
-
Learn how to manage and resolve
group conflict
-
Hone group problem-solving skills
-
Improve communication
-
Discover the advantages of consensus
decision making
Theory
A true-to-life adventure tested out in
the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) by
a group of experts, the Swamped
simulation demonstrates the concept of
team synergy — the belief that decisions
made by groups are better than decisions
made by individuals acting alone (Michaelson,
Watson, & Black, 1989). Groups bring a
greater sum total of knowledge and
information to the discussion of a
problem, as well as a greater number of
approaches and perspectives. Swamped
can also demonstrate “process loss.”
This phenomenon occurs when a
knowledgeable group member outperforms
the group, indicating that the member’s
knowledge was lost sometime during the
group discussion. In order for group
decision making to work, unique
information must be shared and absorbed
by the group (Stasser, 1992).
How It Works
This realistic roundtable simulation
challenges groups to rank 10 salvaged
items — first as individuals, and then
as a team. First, as the facilitator,
you’ll introduce the adventure scenario.
Participants will then rank the 10 items
on their own, using pressure-sensitive
scoring forms. Next, each team conducts
the same ranking process as a unit.
Finally, you’ll lead the participants
into a group action planning discussion,
providing the team with the opportunity
to apply the learning to the workplace.
Uses for Swamped
-
Illustrate the concept of team
synergy
-
“Break the ice” among new or
conflicted teams
-
Give teams a non-threatening
opportunity to work together
-
Help teams practice consensus
decision making
-
Improve active listening, probing,
and confronting behaviors in a
realistic setting
-
Train team leaders in team
facilitation skills
-
Open or close a learning session
-
Introduce an organizational change,
such as the transition to
self-managing teams
-
Interject a fun activity into an
otherwise serious agenda
-
Supplement outdoor experiential
learning
What
to Order/Product Contents
Order one Facilitator Guide per trainer
and one Participant Guide per team
member.
Note: Swamped works best when
participants are divided into teams of
seven or fewer per table.
Facilitator Guide includes:
-
Administrative guidelines
-
2-hour workshop design
-
Expert rationale
-
Experiential learning/training
methodology
-
Training design options
-
CD-ROM containing Microsoft®
PowerPoint® presentation,
reproducible masters, and color
slides of scenario location
-
Updated page layout
-
Sample copy of Participant Guide
-
Convenient binder format
Participant Guide includes:
-
Scenario description
-
Pressure-sensitive response form
-
Team synergy score chart
-
Team discussion guidelines
|
Team
Level:
